§ 52. Mr. CLEARYasked the Home Secretary whether he can make a, statement regarding a Fascist meeting held at Bootle, on the 18th instant, where a woman was found dead on the ground, and where there was grave disorder and damage done?
Captain WALLACEYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend has obtained a report from the Chief Constable of Bootle who states that the Fascist meeting, held at Bootle on the 18th instant, was attended by a crowd of about 500 persons consisting mostly of women and children. During the meeting considerable noise was caused by the children and by a small section of the crowd. At the end of the meeting, about 9.45 p.m., 12 Fascists in uniform were about to board a motor van, the roof of which had been 810 used as a platform by the speaker, when fighting broke out between several of the uniformed Fascists and the hostile section of the crowd. The police separated the combatants and the van moved off through the crowd, its progress being facilitated by the police. It then came to the knowledge of the police that a woman in the crowd had fainted. First aid was rendered, but as she did not recover she was removed by ambulance to Bootle hospital where she was found to be dead. The coroner has ordered a post mortem examination, and I understand that the inquest, which was opened last Friday, has been adjourned to to-morrow. It is not possible pending the result of the inquest to give any information as to the cause of the woman's death.
§ Mr. CLEARYWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department continue to watch this matter?